Fluidtight closure for watchcases



April 8, 1941. BOLLE 2,237,860

FLUIDTIGHT CLOSURE FOR WATCHCASES Filed Dec. .5, 19323 Fig. H- 13 2 1Fig 6 h 3 4 l/vvsxvraza 1 LEO/V BOLL. E

Patented Apr. 8, 1941 FLUIDTIGHT CLOSURE FOR WATCHCASES Leon Bolle,Geneva, Switzerland Application December 5, 1938, Serial No. 244,100 InSwitzerland December 9, 1937 6 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid-tight closures for watchcases, and moreparticularly to improved means associated with the stem and case for thepurpose of effectively excluding water and foreign matter under allconditions of use. In view of the fact that the stem and its associatedknob must be rotated during winding of the watch spring, and also thatthe stem must be moved longitudinally or axially for setting the hands,it is essential that means be provided which will not only provide aneffective seal while the stem is motionless but also when it moves inthe manner described to perform the functions indicated.

Accordingly the present invention has for its principal object afluid-tight closure device for watchcases which is characterized by theprovision of a deformable fluid-tight member surrounding the stem andlocated generally between' the knob of the stem and the casing, saidmember being in the form of an impermeable and pliable partition ofsubstantially sheet-like form in the sense that it consists of adeformable wall of relatively thin section which not only effectivelycloses the opening between the stem and the case, but at the same timepermits of the stem being rotated and axially shifted as required.

Several embodiment of the invention are shown in the accompanyingdrawing, in which Figure 1 is a detail sectional view, partly inelevation, illustrating one form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a detail vertical sectional view illustrating another formof the invention.

Figure 3 is a detail vertical sectional view illustrating a furtherembodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a detail vertical sectional view, partly in elevation,illustrating another form of the invention.

Figure 5 is a detail sectional View, partly in elevation illustrating afurther constructional em bodiment.

Figure 6 is a detail vertical sectional view illustrating a stillfurther form of construction.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several figures of the drawing, and, therefore, the arrow Iindicates the path which would be followed by water or other foreignparticles in entering the watch case through the stem opening, while 2indicates the stem knob, 3 the case, and 4 the stem or winding shaft.

In the form of construction shown in Fig. 1, the annular deformablefluid-tight member 5, which provides a thin impermeable partition, is

of resilient material, for example, rubber, and may be generallyreferred to as a mask. In Fig. 1, the natural elasticity of the saidmask causes the opposite edge portions 6 and I constantly to engagerespectively with the underside of the knob 2 and the portion of thecase adjacent the stem. By reason of the pliability of the rubber mask,it will be observed that the edge 1 closely gripsor engages the case 3,to insure fluid-tight contact therewith. In this form of the invention,the mask 5 does not rotate and at its upper edge 6 is naturallysubjected to rubbing contact when the knob 2 is rotated. Owing to theelasticity of the mask 5, however, a fluid-tight seal is insured betweenthe stem and the case even when the knob is rotated or when the stem ismoved axially or longitudinally.

It will also be seen that the shape of the mask 5 is such thatextraneous pressure, for example, hydrostatic pressure, exerted on theoutside of the mask will increase the pressure of the mask at its edgesagainst the portions of the knob and the case withwhich they are incontact. In that connection, the knob is provided with a lower profile 8of such shape that when outer hydrostatic pressure is exerted on themask in the winding position shown, the mask will stretch or yield so asto conform with the profile 8, the latter thereby providing asupplementary base or support for the mask. If desired, the edge 1 ofthe maskmay be secured to the case 3 with the aid of an adhesive.

In the form of construction shown in Fig. 2, the mask 9 is preferably ofa material which has less natural elasticity than rubber, for example,impregnated fabric, Cellophane, or the like. For insuring fluid-tightcontact of the upper and lower edges of the mask, respectively with theknob and the casing, a coil spring I0 is provided, the ends of the maskbeing preferably attached to the ends of the spring. The spring, ofcourse, presses the opposite ends or opposite edges of the annular maskinto fluid-tight engagement with the knob and the case and supplementsthe pliability of the mask to such a degree that the desiredfluid-tightness is assured.

Instead of making the mask in one piece, it may also be subdivided intoa number of elements, as shown for example, in Fig. 3. Accordingly, inthis form of the invention the mask is made of a number of parts orsections 1 l of elastic material assembled so as to constitute afluidtight and deformable bellows. The elements forming this mask may besoldered or glued in pairsalong their lines of contact. A mask formed inthis manner possesses great pliability even when using a material onlyslightly deformable, such as for example, Celluloid or even metal.

In the three forms of construction shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, theopposite edges of the mask are directly in contact with separate partsof the watch, namely the case and the underside of the knob carried bythe stem. Therefore, one of these edges at least will have a sliding ormovable engagement with its adjacent part when winding or setting thesame. This relative movement between either the knob or the case and themask may dislodge dust or other foreign particles which might enter thewatchcase. In order to remedy this disadvantage, the mask may be made torotate with the stem, and to thatend there may be introduced at leastone intermediate part between one edge of the mask and'the portion ofthe watch with which it is adapted to contact. For example, a so-calledintermediate part or washer, which turns with the stem, may be soarranged as to engage one edge of the mask while the opposite end isengaged by the underside of the knob on the stem. Thus, the mask willrotate with the knob and stem and its edges will not be subjected to anyabrasive wear, but due to the pliability of the mask, it will beapparent that axial movement of the stem will be readily permittedwithout opening up the mask to permit the entrance of foreign matter. Inthis case, if desired, the two edges of the maskmay be securedrespectively to the underside of the knob, or to a portion of the stem,and to the intermediate part or washer which rotates with the stem bymeans of an adhesive.

Embodiments of the invention carrying out the foregoing features willnow be described in detail.

In Fig. 4, there is provided an intermediate member I2 in the form of aWasher fitted in a recess of the watch case, and'placed between theannular mask I3 and the case 3Q In this construction, the maskpreferably-has sufficient inherent elasticity to press the washer I2against the case 3. The said washer or intermediate member may beprovided with a plurality of upstanding lugs or fingers l4 which extendupwardly toward the underside of theknob to provide means for protectingthe mask against'damage to which it may be subjected, as for example, bythe finger nails when the knob is pulled to move the stem for setting.Thus, these lugs form a cage which surrounds and protects the mask. Thewasher I2 is in fluid-tight contact, by considerable friction, with thecase 3. It therefore becomes necessary to provide means for rotating thewasher I2 when the stem is rtated for winding. For example, the washeris provided with a square or non-circular central opening for receivingthe square or equivalent portion I5 on the stem. Thus, the stem andwasher are interlocked for rotary movement but the stem and knob canmove axially relative to the washer. Since the mask I4 is held betweenthe upper face of the washer I2 and the underside of the knob I3, itwill be apparent that the mask rotates with the knob so that itsopposite edges are not subjected to abrasive wearbutjthe stem can moveaxially while maintaining a fluidtight seal due to the pliability of themask I3.

According to Fig. 5, the annular mask I6 may be only slightly elastic oreven inelastic, inview of the special construction provided. That is tosay, a special intermediate member or washer I! having a machinedlowersurface is intended-to engage a machined surface of the case 3, thesaid member I! being provided with a tubular portion l8 which fits, withproper clearance, through the opening in the case and receives on itsscrewthreaded end portion a suitable nut I9 which clamps a resilientwasher 20 against the inner face of the case 3. Thus, the intermediatemember I1 is caused to frictionally bear against the machined surface ofthe case. The presence of this resilient member 20 does not in any wayprevent the intermediate member I! from participating in the rotarymovement of the stem because, although the frictional contact issufficient to contribute to the effectiveness of the seal, it is notsuihcient to impede the rotary movement of the stem 4 which isinterlocked therewith by reason of the fact that the central part of thewasher I! is provided with a square opening to receive the squareportion 2| of the stem. The mask I6 has its lower edge bearing againstthe'upper face of the washer I! while its upper edge engages a portionof the stem adjacent the underside of the knob 2.

In the form of construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5, it will be apparentthat the mask rotates with the stem so that the opposite edges thereofare not subjected to abrasive wear. In other words, the mask has itslower edge bearing on a cup-like sheath or guard washer which rotateswith the stern. In each instance, however, axial or longitudinalmovement of the stem is made possible.

In Fig. 6, the annular mask is located within a cavity formed in thecasing 3 at the location of the opening for the stem 4. A tubularportion or sleeve 23 is mounted in a fluid-tight manner withconsiderable friction on the winding stem 4. This tubular member isprovided with projections or ribs 25 which engage with cooperatingportions in the casing so that the member 23 cannot rotate with thestem. The upper rolled edge of the mask 22 engages with the shoulderedupper portion of the sleeve 23 while the outer or lower edge thereofengages with the base of the cavity in the watchcase 3. The said outeror lower edge of the mask 22 is clamped in place by a threaded washer 24which forms a closed chamber concealing the mask 22'. The mask 22 issufficiently pliable to permit longitudinal or axial'movement of thestem 4. Fig. 6 shows the stem 4 in the elevated position, that is, inthe position of setting the hands. When the knob 2 is in this position,the mask 22 will be flexed upwardly to the position shown. On the otherhand, when the knob 2 is depressed, the mask will become deformed andthus flex downwardly from the full line position shown to bear withgreater force against the wall of the cavity and thus form a seal whichis capable of resisting the highest hydrostatic pressure. The mask maybe constructed of any suitable resilient or deformable material, even amaterial of low resistance, as the washer 24 constitutes a mosteffective protection against foreign matter entering under the knob.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that all forms of the inventionprovide a fluid-tight closure between the stem and knob and the case,while at the same time permitting free rotary movement of the stern forwinding, and, likewise, free axial or longitudinal movement, forsetting.

Any impermeable and deformable material will be used to make thefluid-tight annular mask, for example, rubber, metals, or othermaterials, such as resins, Cellophane or the like. The shape and thethickness of the wall of the mask may be altered to suit variousconditions of use, but, in

all cases the relatively thin walled annular characteristic of the maskis preserved.

I claim:

1. A device for rendering a watchcase fluidtight at the point where thelongitudinally shiftable winding and setting stem enters the case,comprising an annular thin walled deformable fluid-tight member of sheetmaterial surrounding said stem and having the medial portion thereofstanding free of the stem, said member forming an impermeable and pliantpartition between the stem and the case, and the opposite edges of saidmember yieldingly engaging with the stem and the case to provide anaxially compressible fluidtight joint between the stem and the case.

2. In a watch, the combination with a watchcase having an opening and astem provided with a knob, said stem and knob being rotatable andaxially movable relative to said opening, of an annular deformablemember surrounding said stem and in sealing relation to the stem andcase when the stem is moved during winding and during setting, saidannular deformable member comprising a flexible sheet-like wall portionwhich is yieldable when the stem is moved longitudinally in thedirection of its axis to maintain the opening in the case sealed against.the entrance of foreign matter during setting.

3. In a watch, the combination with a watch case having an opening, astem rotatable and axially shiitable relative to said opening, a knobhaving a shank for receiving said stem, a washer having a stem receivingopening and frictionally engaging the case in fluid-tight relationthereto about the stem opening in the case, cooperating means on theshaft of the knob and at the opening in the Washer for causing the knob,stem, and washer to rotate together and yet be capable of relativesliding movement between the stem and washer, and an annular mask ofresilient sheet-like material having its edge portions respectivelyengaging the washer and the knob, said mask being rotatable with theknob and washer and compressible upon relative axial movement betweenthe washer and the knob.

4. In a watch, the combination with a watchcase having an opening, astem rotatable and axially shiftable relative to said opening, a knobhaving a shank portion for receiving said stem, a washer having a stemreceiving opening and frictionally engaging the case in fluid-tightrelation thereto about the stem opening in the case,

portions respectively engaging the washer and the knob, and one of saidedge portions being urged toward the knob by said resilient fingers,said mask being rotatable with the knob and washer and compressible uponrelative axial movement between the washer and the knob.

5. In a watch, the combination with a watchcase having an opening, astem rotatable and axially shiftable relative to said opening, a knobhaving a shank for receiving said stem, a cuplike washer member having astem receiving opening and frictionally engaging the case in fluid-tightrelation thereto about the stem opening in the case, said washer memberhaving a tubular portion fitting in the stem opening of the case andprovided with exterior threads, a nut for said threads, a resilientclamping washer surrounding said tubular portion and pressed against theinner side of the case by said nut, an annular mask having its loweredge seated in the cup-like washer member and the upper edge of saidmask being in sealing engagement with a portion of the knob on saidstem.

6. In a watch, the combination with a watchcase having a recess and astem receiving opening, the edge of said recess being threaded, a stemrotatable and axially shifting relative to said opening, a sleeve havinga fluid-tight frictional engagement with said stem, cooperating means onthe sleeve and the case for preventing relative rotation between thesleeve and the case, an annular deformable mask of resilient sheetlikematerial having one edge engaging said sleeve and the opposite edgeengaging the bottom of the recess in the watchcase, and a washer havin aperipherally threaded portion for engaging with the threaded portion ofthe recess in the case, and also having a central opening for receivingthe stem, said washer overlying and engaging the edge of the annularmask which engages the bottom of the recess in the case, and saidannular mask being deformable upon axial shifting of the stem andremaining stationlary during rotary winding movement of the stem.

LEON BOLLE.

